EPCOT is in the middle of some serious changes that have transformed the entire theme park.With recent additions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the updated Luminous nighttime spectacular, a completely reworked CommuniCore Hall, and Journey of Water Inspired by Moana, the park has transformed from a half-day visit into one of the most dynamic theme park experiences in all of Walt Disney World.And yet, for all the new bells and whistles, something wild just happened—something that hasn’t been seen since the George W. Bush administration.Credit: Greg Goebel, FlickrEPCOT’s New EraBefore we go full nostalgia, it’s worth acknowledging how much EPCOT has changed lately. The past few years saw the park lean hard into IP, adding major franchises like Moana, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Frozen. But along with the flashier attractions, Disney has also started revisiting some of its older areas—sometimes just to keep things running, other times to reintroduce long-lost fan favorites.There’s a renewed sense of energy now. You can feel it walking through World Celebration, grabbing a bite at Connections Café, or taking in some of the new options in the theme park. And for once, there’s a reason to stay in the front half of the park beyond grabbing a Lightning Lane.But even the most optimistic EPCOT fan probably didn’t expect what just happened.Credit: DisneyThe Return of the Diver Demo at The SeasOn July 22, Disney brought back the Diver Lock-Out Chamber Demonstration at The Seas with Nemo & Friends for the first time in seeral years. It’s not a new attraction, but it’s the kind of offering that gives guests something unique—an actual behind-the-scenes look at how divers safely transition into the aquarium’s massive 5.7 million-gallon saltwater tank.In other words, it’s the kind of thing EPCOT used to be known for.And it drew a crowd. A big one.For a pavilion that many guests use as an air-conditioned shortcut between Spaceship Earth and The Land, this was a rare moment where the building felt alive. Kids gathered in front of the tank. Adults watched with interest. And for a fleeting moment, The Seas was the place to be.Credit: DisneyMeanwhile, Over at Test Track…Not to be outdone, Test Track’s reopening has been extremely popular. Within 15 minutes of opening, the ride posted a 150-minute wait time. That’s pre-pandemic-level popularity.The updated version (which some are calling Test Track 3.0) features new narration, redesigned cars, a refreshed queue area, and brand-new show scenes. It’s a slick reimagining that keeps the thrill intact while adding a futuristic flair that better fits EPCOT’s overall vibe.Between this and the Diver Demo crowds, EPCOT hasn’t seen this kind of buzz around these two attractions since the days when Turtle Talk with Crush felt like the bleeding edge of interactivity.A 2007 Kind of DayLet’s set the stage. Back in 2007, The Seas with Nemo & Friends was the hot new thing—just opened after taking over the old Living Seas pavilion. Test Track had already proven to be a hit since its debut in 1999. So it made sense that both were crowd magnets.But for the past decade or so? Let’s be real: Test Track stayed relevant, sure. But The Seas mostly coasted. It had its fans, but it wasn’t a headliner.Until now.For one day—and maybe a few more to come—it genuinely felt like we’d rewound the clock with these two attractions being two of the most popular offerings in the theme park. Guests buzzed about the diver show. And across the park, longtime EPCOT fans were doing double takes, saying, “Wait, is The Seas… busy?”Credit: DisneyIs This a Trend or a Moment?Time will tell whether this is a long-term shift or just a perfect storm of Test Track reopening hype and curiosity about a nostalgic offering. But if nothing else, it’s proof that EPCOT’s original charm—education, science, awe—can still hold its own.Even with space battles and rollercoasters on the menu, there’s something special about standing in front of a massive aquarium, watching a real diver prep for a mission into the deep.It doesn’t always take a thrill ride to draw a crowd. Sometimes, it just takes a little bit of Disney magic—and a reminder of what made EPCOT so unique in the first place.The post EPCOT Just Made a Change We Haven’t See Since the George W. Bush Administration appeared first on Inside the Magic.